Network News

The Buzz brings you the trends, the quirks and the just plain wackiness of life in the DMV.* And you can join in: comment, take our polls, send us tips, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
*(District-Maryland-Virginia. Get with the program.)

The network brings together the best D.C. area bloggers to weigh in on issues that matter to you.

Posted at 2:27 AM ET, 03/ 8/2011

Cheap gas: Where to find it in the D.C. area

By
Justin Jouvenal

Updated: March 8, 8:45 a.m.

Prices at the pump have topped $4 per gallon in San Francisco. How high will they go here? (Getty Images)

Wallet feeling a bit lighter lately?

Higher food and energy prices are taking a bite out of the benefits we were seeing from payroll tax cuts, according to the federal government. A spike in gas prices is largely responsible for the increase in the cost of energy. AAA reports the national average for a gallon of regular gas is now $3.47, which is up from $2.70 a year ago.

The Buzz feels your pain. We'll be updating the cheapest gas prices from stations in three cities around the D.C. area (based on figures from AAA). You can also search for cheap gas by plugging your city or Zip code into AAA's Fuel Price Finder.

The District: Shell, 1601 New York Ave. NE $3.46

Fairfax: Sunoco, 10383 Fairfax Blvd. $3.50

College Park: College Park Auto, 9891 Rhode Island Ave. $3.46

Have your own tips for cheap gas or places to avoid because they charge an arm and a leg? Leave them in the comments below.

wawa in woodbridge on minnevale and cardinal is the lowest and in maryland...go with spaid sonoco in wheaton on viers mill rd and univ blvd.around 329.9gal...stay away from rockville pike if you can or darnestown road...rt 28...

I generally find that gas is less expensive in PG County than in Montgomery County, and the Shell station on Georgia Avenue near Piney Branch (south-east of Walter Reed) is generally less expensive than other places.

Those who bought a high mpg vehicle should be smiling. They are paying more, but far less than otherwise. Those who are looking to buy a new vehicle would be wise to buy so that they can smile, too, when gas prices soar.

Plan trips to reduce miles -- and gas use.

Drive to maximize fuel economy. Accelerate as if there is a raw egg under the accelerator pedal. Cap maximum speed. Red light ahead: let the car coast to the stop. Will be stopped for 30 seconds or more. Turn off the engine while waiting.

We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.